Two Full Moons in July

We just finished the wettest month (June) ever in St. Louis. Going into the June we were behind the yearly average by 1.59 inches. June’s has an average rain fall of 3.83 inches; we received 10.51 inches thus we are a head of the year by 5.09 inches. The forecast for July is hot, hot, and hot so this may dry us out; I hope. The normal rain fall for July is 3.9 inches and the total for year is 39.79 leaving us with only more 15 inches left for a normal year.

Other tidbits the Japanese Beetles are back and misquotes if they are not here they are

Bee and Misquotes

coming. (See picture) Hope we can see the full moon tonight instead of rain clouds. Hoping to see monarchs any day they were here several years ago and have not come to my garden since, but that is part of gardening; Hope.

Early flowering shrubs like Azaleas, Rhododendrons, and lilacs should have been cut back so they can set buds for next spring. Fertilizing of these plants and roses should not be done as the will stimulate growth which would be tender and damaged if early fall frost. If you can get out and exercise in the early mornings and enjoy the summer.